6-methyl-9alpha-fluoro-11beta-hydroxy - 4,6 - pregnadiene-3,20-dione and the 11-keto analogue thereof, their corresponding 16alpha-methyl derivatives and the 1-dehydro counterparts of the foregoing



i No Drawing. Filed May 31, 1962, Ser. No. 198,748

these compounds.

. examples, below.

United States Patent 6 "ice 3,100,711

3,100,771 l 6-METHYL-9a-FLUGRO-llfl-HYDROXY 4,6 PREG- NADIENE-3,20-DI0NE AND THE ll-KETO ANA- CH LOGUE THEREOF, THEIR CORRESPONDING 5 3 I 3 Hot-METHYL DERIVATIVES AND THE l-DEHY- CH3 DRO COUNTERPARTS OFTHE FOREGGING George B. Spero, Kalamazoo, Mich., hssignor to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Delaware 9 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.3)

This invention relates to certain novel steroids, more particularly to 6-methy1-9a-fluoro-11B-hydroxy-4,6-preg- Hadiene-BJO-dione, 6-methy1-9a-fluoro-4,6-pregnadiene-3, 11,20-trione, 6,16a-dimethy1- 9o: 4 fluoro-11fi-l1ydroxy-4,6- pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 6,1606 dimethyl 9a fluoro-4,6- pregnadiene-ll1,20-trione, the l-dehydro derivatives of the foregoing and processes for the production of all of The novel compounds of this invention canhe nrep ared in'accordance' with the following flow sheets, the various steps of which are illustrated in the preparations and Patented Aug. 13, 1963 and the carbonyl radical C:=:Q), R is selected from to increase the number of eggs. 1 The :hydrating 6a-methyl-l lfi-hydroxyprogesterone (I) in conwherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.

The novel compounds of the present invention of For mulae IX, X, XI and XII can be represented by the following formula 5 I wherein X is selected from the group consisting of the 1Shydroxymethylene radical the'g'roup consistingpof hydrogen and "methyl and the linkage between carbon atoms 1 and 2 is selected from those consisting of single and double bonds. The compounds embraced by the above composite formula possess highanti-infiammatory activity. The novel compounds are'useful as topical or systemic anti-inflammatory agents forthe treatment of inflammation of the skin, eye and V ears and 'systemic'ally for arthritis. The compounds are inoreover useful in the estrus synchronization of valuable domestic animals. In the practice of veterinary meditime, the novel compounds provide beneficial'and advantageous-results in the hormonal'control of the reproduc-' tive'cyclein .animalsby synchronization of the est'rual period in a group "of swine, cattle, horses, sheep,'dogs or cats For example, in the raising of cattle 'on a largev scale, tlie'fcompounds can be advantageously employed i jtocontrol the timeof ovulatioin of entire groups of cows j ;for artificial insemination atone time, instead-' of ranjdomly; Cews in ya'r'ious stages of the ZI-dayestr'uscycle thatregularly follows ovulation will all beprevented from 5 byulatin'g during administration of th'eiiew compounds, 1 and all will "then begin a new cycle together and ovulate after treatment at the same time, regardless of their phase of estrus when the compounds were administered to them. 0 Since the bitch comes into heat (estrus) at about sixmonthintervals, the novel compounds need be employed. only prior to these anticipated; times tocause inhibition of estrus. The new compounds are also'useful in preyenting estrua-l activity in fattening meat animals, e.g., fe edlot heifers. In birds the compounds can be'utilized '10 interrupt broodiness in laying hens, to cont'rol the I nioulting period and: the'egg laying period of a flock, and

compounds of the present invention can be pre- 0 pared andadministered to. mammals, birds, humans and animals ina wide variety of oral and parenteral dosage forms, simply or in admixture with other. co-acting' compounds. They also can be used in the form of ointments, lotions, creams, jellies and drops suitable for the treatment of inflamed skin areas, eyes,ears, or nose irritations. Thesoli'd compositions can take the form of tablets, powders, capsules or the like, preferably in unit dosage forms for simple "administration of precise dosages. Liqe lixirs and'injectibl es, particularly intra-articular injecti'bles. I

The processrof the'pre'sent' inventioncomprises: de-

.poundsawherein R is methyl.

, ing IGu-desmethyl compound (I),

4. ventional manner, for example with N-halo-acylamide and sulfur dioxide, or alternatively for example an acid such as sulfuric acid in aceticacid, to obtain 6a-methyl- '4,9(l1)-pregnadiene-3,20 dione (II); adding to a solution of the thus-obtained 4,91( 11)-pregnadiene (II), dissolved in an organic solvent, a N-haloacylamide in the presence of an acid to obtain the corresponding 6a.-

methyl 9a.- halo 11B hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-drone (HI); treating compound IIIwith a mild base to obtain 60c -methy1-9/3,l1 3-oxido 4 pregnene-3,20-,dione (IV); treating this oxido compound .(IV) with a source of hy- The compounds of Formulae V, VI, VII and VIII are converted to the corresponding 6-dehydro derivatives of Formulae IX, X, XI and XII in accordance with procedures well known in the steroid art. The com pounds represented by Formulae V and VI when reacted with chlora'nil, in the manner disclosed in J. Amer.

Chem. Soc. 79, 1257 (1957), yield the corresponding '6-methyl-6 dehydroprogesterones of Formulae IX and X, respectively,:e.g., .6-,methy1-9a-jflu0roj 11fi- -hydroxy-4,6- Ipregnadiene-3,20 -dione (IX) anditsll-keto, counterpart (X); The compounds of'Formula ,X can also be :pre-

pared by the oxidation, e.g., with chromicacid, of the j corresponding llp-hydroxy steroids .(IX). The A 5 compounds'ernbra'ced by Formulae IX andX can be 1 l-dehydrogenated, e.g., with selenium dioxide, to give the "correspondingA -compounds (XI and XII), e.g., 6 methyl9a fiuoro 1LB-hydroxy-1,4,6-pregnatrienemedians (XI') audits ll-keto analogue (XII) preferably, they can be prepared by the 6-dehydrogenation of the corresponding A -compounds '(VII andVIII) by reaction with ohlora'nil. The compounds of- Formula XII can also be Eprepared Zfrom' the corresponding llfl-hydroxy compounds, e.g., by oxidation with chromic acid.

The AR -compounds (Xland XII can also be prepared directly from 'the corresponding n -compounds of For mulae V and VI by reaction with chloranil at elevated temperatures in accordance with the method set forth in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 82,4293 (1960).

The process of this invention, disclosed above for the preparation of the compounds of Formulae IX, X, XI and X II, wherein R is hydrogen, from the starting material of Formula I, wherein R is hydrogen, can readly be utilized for the preparation of the corresponding com- This canreadily be accomplished "by substituting 6 a,l6u.-dimethyl-l IB-hydroxyprogesterone (I as starting material for the correspondpounds of Formulae IX, X, XI and XII wherein R is methyl, namely 6,16oc-dl1ll6thYl-9oz-flll010 11,8 hydroxy- 4,6- pregnadiene 3,20 dione (IX), 6,16oc-dilfn6thYl-9ufuid compositions can be prepared of these compounds taking the form of solution, emulsions, suspensions or fluoro-4,6-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione (X), 6,16ot-dimethyl-9u.-fluoro-1lp-hydroxy-1,4,6-pregnatriene 3,20 dione (XI) and 6,16a-dimethyl 9o: -fluoro-1,4,6-pregnatriene- 3,11,20-trione (XII).

The starting material of Formula I of the flow-sheet wherein R is hydrogen, is 6oc-methy1-1lp-hydroxyproto yield the com-.

O gesterone (I); it is prepared in the manner disclosed in Example 16 of US. Patent 2,968,655.

The starting material of Formula I of the flow-sheet, wherein R is methyl, is prepared from the known compound 6a,l6a-dimethylprogesterone (a) (J. Org. Chem. 26, 2047 [1961] in accordance with the following flowsheet, the various steps of which are illustrated in the preparations below.

6 of Formula a is readily carried out by the method disclosed in US. Patent 2,602,769 and yields the compound of Formula b, namely, oglfia-dimethYl-llm-IIY- droxyprogesterone. An effective method of converting the llor-hydroxy compound of Formula b to the corresponding ll s-hydroxy epimer (I) is readily available by adapting the procedure disclosed in US. Patent 2,968,- 655 for an analogous synthesis. In a similar manner,

wherein n is an integer selected from the group consisting of one and two and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a lower-alkyl radical containing from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive.

The compound represented by Formula a can be 115- or llarhydroxylated with one of the many species of fungi known to oxygenate in that position, e.g., one of the order of Mucorales, Aspergillis, Penicillium, such as, Rhizopus nigrz'cans, Curvularea lunata or Cunninghamella blakesleeana.

llfi-hydroxylation of 611,16oz-dimethylprogesterone (a) by fermentation, e.g., with Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 8688b), is directly productive of 6u,l6a-dimethyl-1lB-hydroxyprogesterone I). i

6a,16a-dimethyl-11a -hydroxyprogesterone (b) is converted to the corresponding ll-keto compound (c) by oxidation, e.g., with chromic acid, chromic anhydride or N-bromoacetamide in pyridine, in accordance with the usual procedures well known in the steroid art. The thus produced 6a,16a.-dimethyl-1l-ketoprogesterone (c) is diketalized, e.g., with ethylene glycol and p-toluenesulfonic acid to give 6,l6a-dimethyl-ll-ketoprogesterone- 3,20-bis(ethylene ketal) (d); the compound of Formula d is reduced to its corresponding llfl-hydroxy analogue (e), e.'g., with lithium aluminum hydride, to yield 6,160:- dimethyl 11B hydroxyprogesterone 3,20-his (ethylene ketal) (e). The compound of Formula e is hydrolyzed, with a mineral acid such as sulfuric to give 6a,l6a-di- The fermentative lla-hydroxylation of the compound 75 methyl-1lp-hydroxyprogesterone (I),

7 The following preparations and examples are illustrative of the products and processes ofthe present invention.

PREPARATION I 604,16 a-Dim ethy l-l 1p-Hydroxy 4-Pregnene-i20 Dine (60,1-6a-Dimethyl-JlflrHydroxyprogesterone) (I) A seed culture of Cunn'ihghamella bla'k esleeana (ATCC 8688b), obtained from spores grown on a 2% agar,

malt extract solids at a pH of -6.0 is prepared by growth in a medium containing, per liter of tap water, g. of dextrose (Cerelose) and g. of liquid corn steep liquor (containing about 12 g. solids) adjusted to a pH of about 5 with aqueoussodium hydroxide.

Five one-liter portions of the above medium are inocu:

lated With the seed culture and growth with aeration and shaking was continued for 48 hours. Then 0.2 g. of

j 6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-3,20 dione (a), in ml. of alcohol is added to each flask and fermentation continued for another 48 hours, at which time the pH is 5.9.

The mycelium is filtered from the beer and the beer of methylene chloride containing 25% ethyl acetate. The extracts are evaporated to dryness. The residue thus obtained is redissolved inrl50 ml. of methylene chloride and chromatographedon a column of Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate). The column is developed with hexanes containing increasing proportions ofacetone to elute a mixture containing: the desired '1 lB-hydroxyproduct.

The crude iproduct is crystallized from a mixture of hexanes and acetone and recrystillized from the same solvent pair to yield light colored, crystalline 6d,].6Dt-dlmethyl-1lfi-hydroxy-4 pregnene-3,20-dione (l) PREPARATION b 6a,]6d-Dir71ethyl-1Jtx-Hydroxy-4-Pregnene-3;20-Dione 6 0a,] 6 Dim ethy [-1 1 a-Hydroxyprog esterone) (b) A medium is prepared containing 10 g. of Cerelose" dextrose technical grade and 20 g. of corn steep liquor (60% solids) in sufiicient tap Water to make up-one liter of solution. One hundred liters of'such a medium is adjusted by the addition of 25% sodium hydroxide solution to a pH of 5. Thereto is then added 400 ml. of lard oil and lard-oil octadecanol as an anti-foaming agent, This medium is sterilized for minutes at 20 lbs. pressure and inoculatedwith .Rhizopus nigricans minus strain,

is 6.3 to 7 millimoles per hour per m1. of sodium sulfite according to the method of Cooper, Eernstrorn and Miller,

Ind. Eng. Chem. 36, 504 (1944). To this medium containing a 24-hour growth of Rhizopus nigricans minus strain is added 6. g. of 6a,l6a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-3,20- dione (a) in 150 ml. of acetone to provide a suspension of the steroid in the culture. After an additional 24 beerfiltratel The mixed extracts andbeer filtrate are extracted successively with two one-half by volume portions of methylene chloride andthen with tWoJonefourth 'by volume portionsof methylene chloride. The

.combined methylene chloride extracts are Washed with .tWo one-tenth by volume portions of a 2% aqueous solution'of sodiumbicarbonate and then with two one-tenth V by volume portions of water. After drying the. methyl- -ene chloride extracts With about 3 to 5 g. ofianhydrouls extracted four times with one-fourth by volume amounts in a minimum of methylene chloride and chromatographed over Florisil. The product, eluted with increasing proportions of acetone in Skellysolve B (hexanes), is recrystallized from methanol to yield light colored, crystalline 6a,16a-dimethyl-l 1 a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3 ,-2O-d1one PREPARATION c 6a,]6a-Dimethyl-4-Pregnene-3,11,20-Trione (6a,16rx-Dimethyl-IZ-Ketoprogesterone (c) A solution is prepared containing 3.5g. of 6a,l6adimethyl-lla-hydroxyprogesterone (b) in ml. of acetic acid at room temperature. Thereto is added drop-Wise av solution of 2 g. of chromium trioxide in 50 ml. of acetic acid and 0.5 ml. of water. During the (addition, the temperature is maintained between 20 to 23 C. and thereafter for another period of 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture is then diluted with 1 l. of water and extracted with six 150 ml. portions of methylene chloride. The extracts are combined, washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The thus obtained sol-id is recrystallized from ethanol to yield light colored, crystalline, "6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene13,ll,'20-trione (c).

PREPARATION d 6,]6u-Dimethyl 5 Pregnene 3,11,20 Trione 3,20-Bu benzene is placed in a reaction flask equipped with a reflux condenser and a Water trap so arranged that the condensed vapors pass through the water trap before returning to the reaction flask. The mixtureis heated toreflux I and allowed to reflux for about 5 hours While'at the same time being agitated. The Water of reaction formed is continuously'removed by codistillation with the refluxing benzene and is collected in the Water trap. The benzene American Type Culture Collection No. 622712, andincu- 'bate'd for 24 .hours at a temperature of 28 C. using a rateof aeration and stirring such that the oxygen uptake solution is then washed with successive portions of a dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water, and then dried. The residue remaining after evaporationof the solvent is crude 6,16a-dirnethyl 5-pregnene-3,11,20-trione i3,20 -bis-( ethylene ketal) (d) which is recrystallized from ethyl acetate to givethe pure, light colored, crystalline product. j I

. PREPARATION e 1 6,1504 Dimethyl 11/3 Hydroxy 5 Pregizeize 3,20- Dione 3,20-Bz's(Ethylene Ketal) ,[6,I6a-Dimethyl-11;3- Hydroxyprogesterone 3,20-Bis (Ethylene Ket al)] (6) To a solution'of 10 g. of lithium aluminum hydridesuspended in 800 of ether is. added 10 g. of 6,16ot-dimethyl-5-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione 3,20-bis (ethylene ketal) sodium sulfate per liter of solvent'and filtering, thesolvent is removed by distillation. The residue is dissolved (d) dissolved in 560 ml. of ether. This mixture is stirred for about4'5 minutes at room'temperature after which time it is refluxed for about one hour and then cooled and .hydrolyzed with water. The precipitate and water are extracted repeatedly with ether andthe combinedether extracts evaporated after washing with water and drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The resulting crystalline- .residue is essentially a quantitative yield of crude 6,160:-

dimethyl 11,8 hydroxy-pr0gesterone 3,20-bis(ethylene *ketal) (e), WhlCh'OIl recrystallization gives the pure, light 'colored, crystalline. product.

PREPARATION I[e] 60,1 6 ot-Dimethyl-l l .fi-H ydroxyprogesterone) (l [e] ml. of water and the resulting acidic mixture allowed to stand for about15 hours. The solution is then concen: trated and water added until crystallization takes place. The thus obtained 6a,]oa-dimethyl-llp-hydroxyprogesterone (I) is collected on a filter and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate to give pure 611,160:- dimethyl-l 1 fi-hydroxyprogesterone (I) PREPARATION 1 6ot-Methyl-4,9(11 )-Pregnadien-3,20 (II) A solution of 5.0 g. of 6oc-11'18tl1Yl-1 J p-hydroxyprogesterone (I) in 58 ml. of dry pyridine (distilled over b arium oxide), was treated with 3.0 -g. of N-bromoacetamide. The mixture was stirred for about 15. minutes and cooled to C. Gaseous sulfur dioxide was slowly passed over the surface of the reaction mixture for aperiod of about one-half hour at 12 C. until the reaction mixture gave a was chromatographed over 350 g. of Florisil. For the chromatography the 4.62 g. of residue was redissolved in 350 ml. of methylene chloride and poured over the Florisil charged column. The first three fractions of 375 ml. each of a solvent consisting of 5% acetone and 95% Skellysolve B (hexanes) were collected and discarded; Thereupon 15 fractions of 375 ml. each, consisting of 8% acetone and 92% Skellysolve B were collectedjcombined, dried and evaporated to give 3.27 g. of yellowish crystals. These crystals were recrystallized from methanol to give 2.18 g. of product melting between 115 to 118C. Yield, 46.3% of theory. An analytical sampleof 6a-rnethyl- 4-9(11)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (II) was prepared which melted at 117 to 119.5 C. and had a rotation [0th, at

7 22 C. of +114 C. in acetone.

Aizalysis.-Calcd. for C Q H O C, 80.94; H, 9.26. Found: C, 80.80; H,'9.19.

Following the procedure of Preparation 1 but substituting 6u,16u-dimethyl-1lfi-hydroxyprogesterone (I) as starting material, yields 6a,16a-dimethyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione (II).

PREPARATION 2 6u-Methyl-9a-BromodB-Hydr0xy-4-Pregrtene 3,20-Dicne (III) sulfite in 104.5 ml. of water was added. The mixture was then concentrated in vacuo until crystals appeared. The reaction mixture was thereupon cooled to 5 C. and diluted wtih stirring with 350 ml. of ice cold water. A solid of an off-white color was collected on filter paper, washed with water until neutral and dried in a vacuum desiccator at room temperature. The material obtained,

.6wmethyl-9a-bromo-l1B hydroxy-4pregnene-3,20 dione (III), weighed 4.9 g. (102% of theory) and possessed a melting point of 144.5 to 145.5 C. This material was used in the next step without further purification.

' Following the procedure of Preparation 2, but substituting 6a,l6oa-dimethyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (II) as starting material, gives 6m,l6ot-dimethyl-9a-bromo-11,8- hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (III).

V PREPARATION 3 6a-Methyl-9B-l1B-Oxido-4-Pregnene3,2G-Dione (IV A solution of 4.9 g. of crude 6a-methyl-9a-bromo-11,8- hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (III), as obtained in Preparation 2, in 168 ml. of acetone, was stirred and refluxed with 5.8 g. of anhydrous potassium acetate for a period of 20 /2 hours. The yellow mixture was concentrated in vacuo to 75 ml. in volume and poured thereupon into one liter of water. After extracting the reaction mixture with three 250-m1. .portions of methylene chloride, drying the extracts overanhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporating to dryness in vacuo, 3.57 g. of oil was obtained. The oilwas dissolved in 300 ml. of methylene chloride and poured over a column of 300 g. of Florisil (magnesium silicate). The column was developed with 16 portions of 8% acetone-92% Skellysolve B, and one portion of 10%90% Skellysolve B. Each solvent portion was 375 ml. Fractions 6 through 16 were combined, dried and evaporated to give 3.1 g. of semicrystalline material which was recrystallized from methanol to give 2.35 g. of product as needles of melting point 119 to 122 C. The yield was therefore 61% of theory. An analytical sample of 6amethyl-9;8,1lfl-oxido-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione (IV) was prepared which melted at120.5 to 122 C. and had a rotation of [111 of +69 in acetone.

Analysis. Calcd. for C H O C, 77.15; H, 8.83. Found: C, 75.84; H, 8.73.

Following the procedure of Preparation 3 but substituting 6a,16a dimethyl-9a-brom'o-1lfii-hydroxyl-pregnene- 3,20-dione (III) as starting material, yields 6a,l6oc-dimethyl-9,6,1 1{3-oxido-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (IV) PREPARATION 4 w u-Methyl-9a-Fluora-11 3-Hydr0xy-4-Pregnene--3,20-Dione (6u-Methyl-9a-Fluoro-l1B-Hydroxyprogesterone) (V) nene-3,20-dione (IV) in 30 m1. of methylene chloride and 16.8 g. of tetrahydrofuran was cooled in Dry-Ice bath for 10 minutes. This solution was added portionwise in a 10-minute period with agitation to 9.6 g. of hydrofluoric acid, cooled in a Dry-Ice bath, in a polyethylene bottle. After standing in the bath for 20 minutes and thereafter in a refrigerator for 17 hours, the light colored solution was poured into a solution of 46 g. of sodium bicarbonate in 920ml. of water and stirred until gas evolution ceased. The mixture was then separated and the aqueous layer. was extracted with methylene chloride. The combined extracts and organic layer were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo at 60 C. The thus-obtained oily residue of 3.15

g. weight was redissolved in 300 ml. of methylene chloride and poured through. a column, charged'with 315 g. of Florisil magnesium silicate. This column was developed as follows: Fractions 1 through 6 with solutions of 8% acetone and 92% Skellysolve B hexanes; fractions 7' through 12, 12% acetone and 88% Skellysolve B. All fractions were 630ml. portions. Fractions 9 through 12 were combined and evpaorated to give 1.46 g. of semicrystalline material. i This material was recrystallized from methanol to give 1.23 g. of product as white crystals of melting point to 172.5". An analytical sample of 60amethy1-9a-fiuoro-11B-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-di0ne (V) was prepared by additional crystallization from methanol melted at 172 to 172.5 and had a rotation of [ab plus 17 1 in acetone.

Analysis.Calcd. for c m o r; C, 72.90;; H, 8.62; F, 5.24. Found: C, 72.72; H, 8.98; F, 5.30.

Following the procedure of Preparation t but substituting 6m,16a-dimethyl-9,8,1lfi oxido-4-pregnene-3 ,ZO-dione fiuoro-l 1,8-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (V) A solution of 2.03 g. of 6a methyl-9 8,llp-oxidol-pregfZS-rnl. portions of methylene chloride. 7

chloride extracts are'combined, washedtwice with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated and'the residue twice recrystallized from methanol to give 600- a Meth l 9oz I I PREPARATION 4A 6ct-MethyZ-9a-Flu0r0-11p-Hydroxy-4-Pregnene- 3,20-Dine (V) Alternatively, 6a-met-hyl-9a-fluoro-1 1 fi-hydroxy-4-preg- -nene-3,20-dione (V) can conveniently be prepared from 5st, l1owdihydroxy 6fi-methyipregnanei ,ZO-dione -et al., J. Am. Chem.Soc. 78, 6213 (1956)] by making the llct-toluenesulfonate in knownmanner with 1011131163111, fonyl chloride, dehydratingthe toluenesulfonate by heating in aqueous solution to obtainSwhydroxybfi-xhethyl- 9(11)-pregnene-3,20 dione, dehydrating thereafter with sodium hydroxide 5 solution to obtain 6a-methyl-'4',9.(:1l)- -pregnadiene-3,20-di0ne (II). submitted'to the steps-shownin Preparations 2 to 4, inclusive, to give the desired product 6ot=methyl-9ot.-fluoro- [Spero 1 1B hydrOXyQ4- regnene-3,ZO-dione (V) PREPARATION s 6a M ethyl 90c Fluoro-4-Preenene-3,11,20-Tri0ne (-6a-MethyZ-9a-Flu 0r -lZ-Ketoprogesterone) (VI) To a solution of 0.5 grams of 6a-methyl-9ot-fiuoro l1phydroxyprogesterone (V) in 10 ml. of aceticacid is added 0 mg. of chromicanhydride, dissolved in '3' ml.

10f acetic acid and 0.2 m1. of water. The mixture is allowed to stand atroom temperature (24 C for a period of about four hours,'then poured into 50 ml. of water, neutralized-with'sodium bicarbonate and extracted with three The methylene This compound "is then PREPARATION 8 oat-Methyl 9a Fluoro J15 Hydroxy 4 Pregnadiene- 3,20-Di0ne (1-Dehydr0-6oc-M thyl 9oz Fluoro 11,8- Hydroxypr gesteronfi (VII) Five IOO-ml. portions of a medium in 2501-rn1. Erlenmeyer flasks containing 1%Cerelose corn sugar, 2% corn.

steep liquor (60% solids) and tap water is adjusted to a pH of 4.95. This medium is sterilized for one hour at 20 lbs. per square inch pressure and 120 C. and inoculated with a one to two day growth of Septomyxa afimis The Erlenmeyer flasks are shaken at room-temperature (about 24 -C.) for a-p'eriod of three days. At the'end of this period, this SOD-ml. volume is used'as an inoculum for 10 1. of the same glucose-corn steep liquorrnedium which-in addition contains 10ml.

of an antifoarn (a mixture of'lard oil and *octadecanol).

The fermentor is PlEICCdIIIIhGjWHEI' bath, adjusted to 28 'C., and the contents are stirred (3 00 rpm.) and aerated (0.5 1. air per 101. beer per minute). After about 19 hours of incubation, when a good growth develops, 2 g. of 6a-methyl-9or-fluoro-l lfl-hydroxyprogesterone (V), dissolved in ml. of acetone, and 1 g; of 11 ,21-dihy- 'droxy-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-3-one as promoter'is added and the incubation (conversion) carried out 'at the same temperature and aeration for 19 hours. The rnycelium is filtered andthe steroidal material extracted with four threediter portions of methylene chloride'. The myceliurn methyl-9a fiuoro-4-pregnene-3,11,20 trione (6a methyl- 9ct-fluor'0-1'l-ketoprogesterone) (VI).

Followingthe procedure of Preparation 5 but subone (V) as starting material, yields 5d,l6oc-dlm6tl1Y1'-:9 oc

fiuoro-ll-ketoprogesterone (VI). f I

PREPARATION P6 droxyp rl gesrerone):(VII) I n -0.7 g. -of"6e-methyl 9wfiuoro 1ifi hydroxyprogesterone V is dissolved in. 50-.ml-. of tertiary butyl-alcohol and thereto is added, 5 ml; ofacetic acid and 250 mg. of

selenium dioxide. The mixture is'heated' to "75 CQand jstirred for a periodao-fiabout24 hours. 'Ihereafter another .poition of Y250 mg. of selenium dioxide is added, heated 1 at 75C. and stirring continued for about 24 hours. :The mixture" is cooled, filtered to remove the excessjselenium dioxide and evaporated. The thus obtained residue is recrystallized four times from acetone-Skellysolve Bhexane hydrocarbons to give pure 1-dehydro-6a-methyl-9a-fluoro- 1 1 fi-hydroxypro'gestero-ne (VII) Followingtheprocedure of Preparation 6 bite-1bstituting :,16ci-dimethylf9u-fluorod 1 fi-hydroxyprogester one (V) as starting material, yields 6a,16 a-dimethyl-9,a- 'fiuor'o-llfl-hydroxy-1,4'pregnadiene-3,20-dione (VII).

PREPARATION 7 gesterone) (VIII) In the same manner given in Preparation 5, oxidizing with chromic anhydride in acetic acid l-dehydro 60cmethyl-9ot fiuoro'd lB-hydroxyprogesterone (VII), yields l-dehydro-du methyl- 9a fluoro 11 ketoprogesterone (6ot-methyl'-9oc-fiuoro 1,4- pregnadiene 3,11,20 trione (VIII); r I Following the procedure of Preparation 7 butssubstituting 1-dehydro-6a,16a-dimethyl-9ot-fiuoroallfirhydroxy progesterone (VII) as starting material, gives 1-dehydro- 6a,16a-dimethyl-1l-ketoprogesterone (VIII).

Fluoro 1,4 Pregnadiene 3,11,20- T ri ize (1Dehydro-tfia-Methyl-9ot-Flu0r0-I1 'Ketoprm I In the samem'annengiveninPreparation 8 submitting fermentationby .S eptomyxa a fin s'ATCC. '6737 results the production of 1-dehydro-6a-methyl9a-fluoro 11- Alternatively, l dehydr'o 604-" methyl-9a-fiuoro-1l ketoprogesterone (VIII) is obtained by oxidizing l-dehydro-6a-methyl-9oz fiuoro-l lfi-hydroxy- :ketoprogesterone (.VIII) progesterone (VII) as shown in Preparation Likewise, submitting 6a,l6a dimethyl-9ot-fiuoro-4-pregnene 3,11,20-trione (VI) to fermentation by Sepromyxa affim's A.T.C.C. 6737 results in the production of l-dehydro-6 16a-dimethyl-9a fluoro 11 -ketoprogesterone :(VIII)- Alternatively, 1 dehydro 60,160t dimethyl-9a- I -fiuoro-1l-ketoprogesterone(WII) is obtained by oxidizing l-dehydro-fiot,16rx-dimethyl 9ot,1 1 fl-hydroxyprogesterone (VII) as shownv in Preparation 5.

Instead of using 'Septomyxrt-afiinis in the l-dehydrogenation of Preparation 8, 1 dehydro-6a-methyl-9a-fiuoro- .llfl-hydroxyprogesterone (VII) and l-dehydro-oct-methyl- 90c -.fluoro -;11 ketoprogesterone (VIII) can be prepared terone (VI) respectively, with other species of the genus Septomyxa or species selectedhfrom the microorganisms of the genera: Calonectria, Alternaria, .Colrletotrichum, cylindrocarpon, Ophiobolus, Listera, Corynebacterium, 'Erysipelothrix species .Of the family Tuberculariaceae, 'Nocandia, Cucurbitaria, -Leptosphaeriae, Tric'othecium, iMycobacterium, -Fusarium, Didymella and the like.

Likewise, instead ofemploying Septomyxa ajfinis utlizied in the l-dehydrogenation of Preparation 8, l-dehydro 60:,160: dimethyl 9a-fluoro-1lfl-hydroxyprogesterone (VII) and 1- dehydro-6ot,16ot-dimethyl-9a-fluorothe genera disclosed in the immediately preceding para graph.

EXAMPLE 1 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro 1113 Hydroxy 4,6 Pregnadiene 3,20-Dine (6-Dehydr0-6-Methyl-9et-Flu0r0-11(3- Hydroxyprogesterone) (IX) A solution of 9.25 g. of 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-l1 3-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (V) and 13.87 g. of chloranil (2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone) in 550 ml. of t amyl alcohol was stirred and heated at reflux for a period of about 3 hours. .The solvent was removed under reduced pressure at steam bath temperature and the dark muddy residue dissolved in 1 l. of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride solution was washed first with 800 ml. of 2.5% sodium hydroxide solution (in 3 portions) then with water, dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and poured over a 500 g. column of Florisil. The column was eluted with 6 l. of a mixture of acetone and Skellysolve B (1:9) and with 4 l. of a mixture of acetone and Skellysolve B (2:8). Evaporation of the eluates to dryness gave 5.526 g. of crude crystalline product which was dissolved in 250 ml. of methanol, decolorized with Darco G-60 (activated carbon) and the solution concentrated to about 75 ml. to give 4.163 g. of product with a melting point of 240 to 244 C. An analytical sample of the product, 6-methyl-9a-fluoro-1lfi-hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (IX), was recrystallized from methanol and melted at 245 to 247 C.; [ab +167 C. (dioxane); 1

mg, 286, e 22,150

Analysis.Calcd. ror'c n o F; c, 73.30; H, 8.11;

EXAMPLE 2 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro 4,6 Pregnadiene 3,11,20- Trione (6-Dehydr0-6-Methyl-9u-Flu0ro-1l-Ketoprogesterone) (X) l To a solution of 0.5 g. of 6-methyl-9a-fiuoro-1lp-hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (IX) in 100 ml. of acetone at about 3 C. was added 1 ml. of oxidizing reagent (composed of 26.73 g. chromium trioxide, 23 ml. of

concentrated sulfuric acid and water to make a total volume of 100 ml.). After stirring for a period of about one hour at about 3 C., 2 ml. of methanol was added followed by 200 ml. of water. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure at about 60 C. bath temperature until about 150 ml. remained. This material gave 435 mg. of precipitate that was isolated by filtration, treated with Darco G-60 in acetone, filtered, and the solvent removed. The residue was chromatographed over a 50 g. column of Florisil and eluted with a mixture of acetone and Skellysolve B (1:9) to give 397 mg. of product. Crystallization of this material from a mixture of acetone and Skellysolve B gave 321 mg. of product with a melting point of 140 to 144 C. An analytical sample, prepared by recrystallizing a portion of the product twice from the same pair of solvents, yielded the desired compound, 6-methyl-9a-fluoro-4,6-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione '(X); it melted at 143 to 145 C.; [r11 +219 (acetone);

mfg, 284, e=22,650

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O F: C, 73.71;. H, 7:59; F, 5.30. Found: C, 73.50; H, 7.48; F, 4.89.

'Following the procedure of Example 2 but substituting 6,160 dimethyl 90c fluoro 1113 hydroxy 4,6 pregnadiene-3,20-dione IX) as starting material, yields 6,16ozdimethyl 9a fluoro 4,6 pregnadiene 3,11,20 tr-ione (X).

EXAMPLE 3 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro 4,6 Pregnadiene 3,11,20- T rione (6 Dehydro 6 -M ethyl-9oc-Flu0r0-1 1 -Ket0pr0- gesterone) (X) EXAMPLE 4 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro 11B Hydr oxy 1,4,6-Pregnatriene-3,20-Di0ne (1,6-Bisdehydro-6-ll lethyl-9a-Flu0ra- 11,B-Hydroxyprogesterone) (Xl) A solution of 12 g. of 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-1lfl-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (VII) (from Preparation 6) and 10 g. of chloranil in 500 ml. of tertiary amyl alcohol is refluxed for a period of about 4.5 hours. The tertiary amyl alcohol is then distilled off under vacuum in a nitrogen atomsphere. The residue is dissolved in methylene chloride and then shaken with dilute sodium hydroxide. The precipitate that forms is separated by filtration through diatomaceous earth. The organic phase of the filtrate is separated, washed first with dilute sodium hydroxide solution, then water and dried. The solvent is distilled off leaving a residue of crystalline -methyl- 9a fluoro 11p hydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene 3,20- dione (XI).

Following the procedure of Example 4 but substituting 60,l6a dimethyl 91x fluoro 11B hydroxy 1,4 pregi in 1 ml. of acetic acid and 0.1 ml. of water.

nadiene-3,20-dione (VII) as starting material, yields 6,161: dimethyl c fluoro hydroxy-1,4, 6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione (XI). I

EXAMPLE 5 To a solution of 0.2 g. of 6-methyl-9u-fluoro-1lp-hydroxy-l,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione (X1) in 4 ml. of acetic acid is added 60 mg. of chromie anhydride, dissolved The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 4 hours, then poured into 50 ml. of water, neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and extracted with three 10 ml. portions of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extracts are combined, washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated, and the thus produced residue twice recrystallized from methanol to give 6methyl-9oc-fiuoro-1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,1l,20-trione (XI I).

Following the procedure of Example 5 but substituting 6,16ot-dimethyl-9wfluoro-l l B-hydroxy 15,4,6-pregna-triene- 3,20-dione (X!) as starting material, yields 6,16a-dimethyl-9oz-fluoro-1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,11,20-trione (XII).

EXAMPLE 6 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro 1,4,6 Pregnatriene 3,11,20- Trione (1,6 Bisdehydro 6 Methyl 9o: Fluore- 11 -Ket0pr0gester0ne) (XII) Following the procedure of Example 4 but substituting 60c methyl 9m fluoro 1,4 pregnadiene 3,11,20-

and water.

' then concentrated to dryness.

50 ml. of methylene chloride and'chromatographed by yl-9a-fluoro-1,4,6-pregnatriene-3, 1 1,20-trione (XII) EXAMPLE 7 6 Methyl 90c Fluoro 11B Hydroxy 1,4,6 Preg- 'natriene 3,20 Dione (1,6 Bisdehydro 6 Methyl- Qa-Fluoro-l1fi-Hydroxyprogesteroine) (XI) A mixture containing g. of 6-methy1-9a-fluoro-1lfi hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (IX) (fromExample 1), 500 ml. of tertiary butyl alcohol, 5 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 4 g. of selenium dioxide is warmed at reflux for 24 hours. An additional 4 g. portion of selenium dioxide is added and warming is continued foranother 24-hour period.

The reaction mixture is cooled and filtered. The filtrate is concentrated to about 150 ml, then slowly diluted with 850 ml. of water. The resulting precipitate is isolated by filtration." The precipitate is dissolved in 300 ml. of ethyl acetate, then washed with four IOG-ml. portions of freshly prepared cold ammonium sulfide, dilute ammonium hydroxide, water, dilute hydrochloric acid The solution is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give a residue containing 6-methyl-9afluor o 115 hydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene 3,20 dione (XI).

Following the procedure of Example7 but substituting 6,1606 dimethyl 90c fiuoro llfi hydroxy 4,6 pregnadiene.-3,20-dione (IX) as starting material, yields 6,

160a dimethyl 90c fiuoro 11,6 hydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene-SJO-dione (XI).

EXAMPLE 8 6 Methyl 90c Fluoro 1,4,6 Pregnqtrz'en'e 3,11,20-

Trione (1,6 Bisdehydro -.6 Methyl 90c 1 1 -Ketopr0gester0ne) (XII) ,20-trione (X) as starting material, yields 6,16a-dim ethyl- 9a-fluoro-1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,l1,20-trione (XII) EXAMPLE '9 -6 Methyl 9a -'Flu0r0'- 115 Hydroxy 1,4,6 Preg mztriene 3,20- Dione (1,6 Bz'sdehydro 6 Methyl- Qa-Fluoro-Zlfi-flydi oxyprogesterone) (XI) I F luoro:

trione.

mixture, is filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness.

The residue 'is dissolved in chloroform and the solution washed successively several times with each of the following: qwater, 5% sodium hydroxide solution, and again water. The solution is dried with sodium sulfate and The residue is dissolved in pouring onto a 50 g. column of Florisil; elution with a mixture "of acetone and Skellysolve B yields pure crystalline 6 methyl 9a fluoro- 11,8 hydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene-3,20-dione (XI).

Wherein X isselected from the 15 r Following the procedure of Example 9 but substituting :,160: dimethyl 9a, fiuoro 116 hydroxy 4 preg- 'nene 3,20-dione (V) as starting materiaLyields 6,160;- dimethyl c fiuoro 11B hydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene- 3,20-dione (XI).

EXAMPLE l0 6 Methyl 90c Fluoro 1,4,6 Pregnatriene L 3,11,20-

Triolze (1,6 Bisdehydro 6 Methyl 9a Fluoro-ll- Kezopro'gesterone) (XII) 1. A fi-methyl-9z-fluorodl oxygenated compound of the formula i X R group consisting of the fi-hydroxymethylene radical 2. 6 methyl 9a fluoro hydroxy 4,6 pregnadiene-3,20-dione. I a

-3. -6 methyl-19a Home 4 4,6 pregnadiene 13,11, 20-

4. 6,160 dimethyl 9oz fluoro 11's. hydroxy 4,6- pregnadiene-3',20-di0ne.

5. 6,1606 dimethyl 9a fluoro 4,6 pregnadiene- -3,11,20-trione.

6. 6 methyl 90c fluoro 11B hydroxy 1,4,6- pregnatriene-3,20-dione.

, 7. 6 methyl --9a fluoro 1,4,6 p regn-atriene 3, .11,20-trione.

8. 6,16 dimethyl 9a fluoro 11 5 hydroxy 1,4, 6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione.

9. 6,1604 dimethyl 90 --fiuoro 1,4,6 pregnatriene- 3,11,20-trione. i

References Citedin the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS "2,883,379 Moreland et al Apr. 21, 1959 2,891,079 Dodson et al. June 16, 1959 2,968,662 R-ingold et a1. Ian. 17, 1961 

1. A 6-METHYL-9A-FLUORO-11-OXYGENATED COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA 